Mental illness is quite common. It has biological and genetic roots, and can effect you both emotionally and physically.

Have hope - Mental health counseling has been proven to be an effective treatment against a number of common - and uncommon - mental illnesses.

Mental illness takes on many forms. Symptoms of depression, for example, can vary wildly. One depressed person may sleep too much. another not at all. Some people gain weight. Others lose it. Feelings of guilt and worthlessness, fatigue and irritability tend to be common factors. In serious cases, a patient might develop suicidal ideation, which is an intrusive an obsessive pattern of thoughts centered around the idea of ending one's own life.

For this reason, a mental illness such as depression is considered dangerous, and anyone who suffers from it should seek medical attention right away.